Church HistoryChurch History\Eras and MovementsEras and Movements\The ReformationThe Reformation

The Necessity of Reforming the Church

W. Robert Godfrey

23:41

1. The Necessity Then

3. Reforming Soteriology

W. Robert Godfrey

25:21

4. Reforming the Sacraments

W. Robert Godfrey

24:29

5. Reforming Church Government

Church History\Eras and Movements\The Reformation

The Necessity Then

W. Robert Godfrey

The church of Jesus Christ is composed of sinners saved by grace, so by its very nature it is in constant need of reform. John Calvin’s “The Necessity of Reforming the Church,” written in 1544, can help us think about what was needed for the church then and what is needed for the church now. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey introduces the rich historical context of Calvin’s treatise and outlines its structure and major themes.

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W. Robert Godfrey

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He is president emeritus and professor emeritus of church history at Westminster Seminary California. He is the featured teacher for many Ligonier teaching series, including the six-part series A Survey of Church History. He is author of many books, including God’s Pattern for Creation, Reformation Sketches, and An Unexpected Journey.